'Business plan for parks and rec dept. appears to have stood still'

to the editor,

Posted
February 6, 2014

The proposed fee structures and increases brought before council last Monday did not raise one question from Council.

There were no previous attendance numbers, revenue streams, proposed % of subsidy that the proposed rates both new and existing unchanged rates are, versus the actual cost per/hr. for that same activity.

I am very well aware that there is competition for the recreational dollar. From a capital cost investment, this council has created what is evidently an abundance of ice and arena facilities. Is this the desired marketing plan that our council wants to embrace for the coming years?

Are we to assume that our recreation facilities together with the products and programs as suggested in this proposal are to continue to be priced, without a reasonable expectation of generating revenue that at least represents fully the costs?

Now, I appreciate that all municipal recreation facilities and programs have to meet the threshold of affordability and not to gouge the users' pockets for profits.

It would be out of the question that a CEO of a similar service in either the private or public segment of the market place would want to review not only the projected increase in the revenue stream as well as to the proposed costs and recommended cost cuttings and saving and finally the actual recommended bottom line.

This is where the real business world would reach a consensus on a price increase that will meet and cover the costs.

The people of our town should not be denied the opportunity of benefiting from the entire recreational infrastructure that has been built, and especially not the youth. It is a case of council and its staff doing a better accounting of what appears to be a never-ending stream of funds.

The business plan for the P.R. & C. Dept. appears to have stood still for the past 13 years. Hopefully, Business Studies & Marketing 101 will be applied when Council deliberates for the 2015 Town Budget.